The Dhaka North City Corporation has decided to introduce services of special rickshaws and air-conditioned buses in capital’s Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketon areas in a bid to improve the security measures following terrorist attacks in the posh area.
Talking to the Prothom Alo on Tuesday, the city corporation mayor, Annisul Huq, said the service is likely to be launched on 9 August.
The mayor said there will be some 500 differently-coloured rickshaws for the posh area and the rickshaw-pullers will have unique attire. “No rickshaw other than those specialised one will be allowed to enter the area.”
The city corporation authorities have already collected the identities of the rickshaw-pullers and the rickshaw-owners in details. There will be three drivers against one rickshaw for ensuring the special service round the clock.
Special bus service will be operated on two routes-Police Plaza to Gulshan 2 intersection and Kakali crossing to Natunbazar crossing. Passengers will get bus in every ten minutes at the starting point of the route.
The authorities have beefed up security measures in the area-the diplomatic zone-following the hostage-situation in the Holey Artisan Bakery of capital’s upscale Gulshan on 1 July during which at least 28 people including two police officials and six militants were killed.